At the January Sto-Rox District Legislative Voting Meeting, senior Jaya Elerby officially passed her role as Student School Board Representative to Darnell White (Class of 2027) and Garridan Cercone (Class of 2028).
The district decided to expand the Student School Board Representative position to two students, helping to share the responsibilities and provide a broader representation of the student body. School Board President Cameron Culliver emphasized the important role of student representatives in serving as a voice for all students across the district.
Before stepping down, Jaya shared her excitement for supporting Darnell and Garridan in their new roles. Mr. Culliver thanked Jaya for her dedication, noting her enthusiasm and passion in bringing student perspectives to the board each month. Speaking to the board, she said, “I’d like to leave you all with some positive motivation. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Darnell, a junior at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School, studies manufacturing and safety hazards in his pre-apprenticeship class and trains in mixed martial arts in his free time. He recalled his initial reaction when Principal Ms. Davis asked him to serve as a student representative: “I thought she was joking. But when I realized it was serious, I said yes because I wanted to really make a difference and be important.”
Garridan, a sophomore who has been in the district since kindergarten and plays on the high school football team, will join Darnell as the second Student School Board Representative. He expressed excitement about taking on the role and representing his peers.
Both new representatives are eager to serve as a strong voice for students across the district. They hope to bring fresh ideas to the board, help address student concerns, and foster a sense of connection between the student body and district leadership. Through their work, Darnell and Garridan aim to ensure that every student feels heard, valued, and empowered to make a positive impact in their schools and community.
From left: Garridan Cercone (sophomore), Jaya Elerby (senior), Darnell White (junior)